Categories
Sports

Rickie Fowler, the last man in the FedEx St. Jude Championship, shoots 65

Fowler, who led the PGA TOUR in Strokes Gained: Putting five years ago and was 13th in that stat in 2019, gained just 0.2 strokes on the greens Thursday, though. A 12-footer was the longest putt he made all day. He had a new putter in the bag this week, a Scotty Cameron Newport Plus that is slightly wider than the traditional Newport head. It was the latest putter switch for Fowler, who has cycled through several flatsticks this season. The most recent switch came two weeks ago, when he switched back to a Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS that had come from a set of heads once reserved for Tiger Woods. Fowler first used the club in 2014.

“There was a lot of good out there today. Actually, a lot of really good putts,” Fowler said. “Left a couple short, but other than that, some of it was just a little off on read.”

The margins are small on the PGA TOUR. Fowler knows that as well as anyone this week.


NOTES: FedExCup leader Scottie Scheffler played his first five holes in 4 over Thursday, but made three birdies and no bogeys the rest of the way to shoot 71. He also lost 4.5 strokes on the greens. He’s still projected to stay above the FedExCup standings. … Si Woo Kim was just 21 when he made his TOUR Championship debut in 2016. He hasn’t been back to East Lake since, however. Last year was his closest call from him, as he finished 34th in the FedExCup. One week after withdrawing from the Wyndham Championship, Kim shot 62 in the first round at TPC Southwind. A victory would ensure his return from him to East Lake and bolster his Presidents Cup case. He shot 28 on the back nine, including an eagle on the par-4 18th, after needing 13 strokes to navigate just TPC Southwind’s 11th hole in his previous round at TPC Southwind, the final round of the 2021 World Golf Championships-FedEx St. Jude Invitational. … Si Woo Kim isn’t the only player off to a strong start after withdrawing last week. Jason Day had a fever last week. Now he’s off to a hot start, shooting a 65 that has him projected to jump 40 spots in the FedExCup standings, from No. 113 to 73.


BMW BUBBLE WATCH

Here are the players projected to move inside the top 70 of the FedExCup after the first round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship and advance to next week’s BMW Championship at Wilmington (Del.) Country Club:

PROJECTED IN

adam scott (No. 77, projected to No. 59): Scott closed his front nine with four consecutive birdies and bounced back from a double at the par-3 14th with back-to-back birdies to shoot 66 and sit in a tie for 18th .

Lee Hodge (No. 99, projected to No. 64): The rookie made just one bogey in his first-round 65 that has him in a tie for eighth place.

michael thompson (No. 103, projected to No. 68): He didn’t miss a putt inside 20 feet in his first-round 65, gaining 3.2 strokes on the greens.

james hahn (No. 108, projected to No. 69): Late entrant, who clinched his Playoffs spot in late July, shot 65 to start Playoffs on a strong note.

PROJECTED OUT

anirban lahiri (No. 63, projected to No. 74): PLAYERS runner-up made just two birdies in his first-round 71.

John Huh (No. 67, projected to No. 76): A week after finishing runner-up at Wyndham to jump up the standings, Huh shot 73.

Brendon Todd (No. 68, projected to No. 78): A first-round 69 has him on the cut line entering the second round.

Lanto Griffin (No. 69, projected to No. 82): He is not playing this week after a recent back surgery.

Categories
Australia

Dominic Perrottet says findings ‘toxic and wrong’

In two-thirds of sexual harassment cases (67 per cent) the perpetrator was someone more senior, and in most cases (85 per cent) the perpetrator was male.

The report found that harmful behaviors had a “profound, devastating and long-term” impact on staff and led many to leave parliamentary workplaces.

“This was often because of their lack of confidence in, or poor experience of, reporting mechanisms and a resulting lack of confidence that it was possible to protect workers against harmful behaviours, particularly when these were being perpetrated by a Member of Parliament,” it said.

The report said most participants had identified the “unequal distribution of power as a key driving factor both in problematic cultural dynamics and in the patterns of harmful behaviours”.

This was supported by the findings that identified members of Parliament as being responsible for a disproportionate number of incidents of harmful behaviour, it read.

Perrottet said the public needed to have confidence in its politicians.

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“It can’t have confidence in its politicians in circumstances where parliamentary environments – whether that is in the Parliament or in electorate offices – in many instances,[are] not free from bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault,” he said.

“This must end. It ends today, and we will work very closely with all sides of politics to implement change for the betterment of workplaces in the NSW parliament.”

I thanked the victim-survivors who came forward and were part of the investigation.

Almost 500 people – 27.7 per cent of the parliamentary workforce – participated in the online review. More than 100 gave confidential one-on-one interviews and seven confidential group sessions were conducted. The review also received 58 confidential written submissions.

“That would have been incredibly difficult for many and very challenging, but today they should know that their stories will create real change and have a lasting impact on people in our parliament and hopefully right across our state,” Perrottet said.

“That change cannot occur without people having the strength through adversity to come forward and tell the story and I, particularly as [premier] of the state, want to thank every single person who has participated.”

NSW Labor leader Chris Minns said the review painted a “dark picture of what’s been happening in the NSW parliament over an extended period of time”.

“It’s my view that neither side, or any side in politics, comes to this issue with clean hands. We all need to do better, reach across the aisle, and make sure that we’re making every possible effort to make the NSW parliament a safe workplace,” he said.

Perrottet also said he would “work across party political lines to make any changes to ensure the NSW parliament is a safe place”.

“Whatever changes need to be made will be made. It is as simple as that.”

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The review was conducted by former sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick and all MPs and staff employed at parliament within the past five years were invited to participate voluntarily.

The review, commissioned by former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian, said ministerial offices were “unique workplaces”, where staff were under intense public scrutiny and “employment protections for ministers are vastly greater than those of their staff”.

Support is available from the NSW Sexual Violence Helpline on 1800 424 017National Sexual Assault, Family & Domestic Violence Counseling Line on 1800 737 732, and Lifeline on 131 114.

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Categories
US

NYC carriage horse on the mend after scary collapse: stable worker

The sick carriage horse that collapsed on a busy Manhattan street won’t be sold off or euthanized as a result, a stable employee insisted to The Post on Thursday.

The horse, named Ryder, spent the night at the West Side Livery stables on West 38th Street after he was filmed lying in the middle of the street in Hell’s Kitchen as his driver repeatedly struck him and ordered him to “get up.”

Christina Hansen, a carriage driver who works at the stable, told The Post it was “highly unlikely” the 14-year-old horse would be put down or sold off following Wednesday’s caught-on-camera order.

“He’s not going to be sold,” the top hat-wearing Hansen said, adding that she’d spoken to the horse’s owner earlier Thursday.

Ryder was examined by a veterinarian after being brought back to the stable by the NYPD’s mounted unit following his collapse — and the diagnosis was Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis, a neurological disease caused by possum droppings, Hansen said.

Hansen said it was unlikely the horse would be put back to work immediately because he’ll need treatment for EPM.

Ryder
Ryder has stayed at West Side Livery stables in Manhattan.
Robert Miller
Ryder collapsed on ground
Ryder collapsed in Midtown Manhattan on Aug. 10, 2022.

“It would be irresponsible,” Hansen, who is also a union shop steward, said of having him lug a carriage right away.

“We have all the time in the world. We’ll do what’s right by the horse. He’s going to be treated and we’ll figure out one of the best places for him to retire to,” she added.

The stable worker said Ryder, who has only been in the Big Apple since April after being used as an Amish buggy horse, was already doing “really well.”

“He’s been great. He’s been plowing through there. He’s been eating his carrots,” Hansen said.

Her insistence that Ryder won’t be cast aside came after the president of NYCLASS — an anti-horse carriage group — claimed the horse was at risk of being sold for slaughter following his collapse.

“If the owner simply sells Ryder, he is at serious risk of ending up being sold for slaughter or in some other terrible situation,” Edita Birnkrant said in a statement.

Birnkrant said the organization had already offered to “place Ryder in a sanctuary where he would receive lifelong love and care and proper veterinary care.”

Christina Hanson
Carriage driver Christina Hansen told The Post that it was “highly unlikely” that Ryder would be put down or sold off.
Robert Miller
West Side Livery stable
The carriage involved in the incident parked outside of West Side Livery stable on Thursday.
Robert Miller

Meanwhile, animal activists — including NYCLASS — descended on City Hall on Thursday to call on the City Council to fast track legislation that’ll phase out horse carriages in the Big Apple. That bill was introduced by Councilman Bob Holden last month.

If passed, the new measure would give horse drivers preferences for electric carriage licensure and require they be paid union wages.

“The collapse of Ryder in peak rush hour traffic in Midtown Manhattan is tragic, unforgivable … and entirely preventable,” said Dr. Jim Keen, director of Veterinary Sciences for Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy.

Cut on skin seen on horse.
Injuries are seen on Ryder, possibly from the collapse in midtown.
Robert Miller
Another cut was found on the rear right side of Ryder.
Another cut was found on the rear right side of Ryder.
Robert Miller

“Whether he collapsed from overwork and heat exhaustion, or, even worse, overwork, heat exhaustion and untreated EPM, there is no excuse to treat a horse like an expendable machine. There is a simple solution: prohibit carriage horses from dense urban areas, and replace them with electric carriages as Councilman Bob Holden proposed.”

Ashley Byrne, PETA’s director of outreach and communication, said the legislation, if passed, would “be a win for everyone.”

“It would be a win for the workers. Their jobs would be preserved and would be much better and have benefits. It would also protect the public from accidents and run away horse incidents, that we have seen far too many of. And obviously a win for the horses,” she said.

Cut on Ryder's leg
A cut was also found on Ryder’s leg.
Robert Miller
Ryder and Christina Hansen.
According to paperwork, Ryder is 14 years old.
Robert Miller

Mayor Eric Adams didn’t answer questions about the horse collapse Thursday.

One protester, Lisa Forsee, 60, took direct aim at Hizzoner over his silence.

“I am ashamed of him. He is running this city. He is allowing animal abuse. It’s documented. He needs to do something about it,” she said.

Additional reporting by Desheania Andrews

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Categories
Business

Urgent recall of Westinghouse glass cooktop over serious injury risk

An urgent national recall has been announced for a popular Electrolux home product after parts of the item have been found to shatter, posing serious injury.

Product Safety Australia on Thursday recalled the Westinghouse black tempered glass gas cooktop.

The product, which does not comply with the Domestic Gas Cooking Appliances Standard, comes in a 60cm three-burner cooktop and a 90cm five-burner cooktop.

Warning: Urgent recall on household appliance.  Picture: Supplied.
Camera IconThe Westinghouse black tempered glass gas cooktop has been recalled. Supplied Credit: NCA NewsWire

The cooktop, which is sold both nationally and internationally in stores such as Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi, The Good Guys, Reece Plumbing and Winning Appliances, has been on sale since February 2020.

Consumers have been urged to check the model number of their cooktop to see if it is affected.

The model numbers are WG638BC and WHG958BC or serial digits 5301134 – 22503805.

Authorities said other identifying numbers on the device include AGA 8145G.

Affected consumers should contact Electrolux to arrange a refund or for a service technician to attend free of charge to replace the product.

For more information, consumers can contact Electrolux Home Products on 1800 001 218 or via email at [email protected].

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Categories
Technology

Riot shuts down VALORANT’s competitive queue due to ‘no flash’ bug

Riot Games has temporarily turned off the competitive queue in VALORANT due to an exploit that can disable the flash effect for a player, effectively negating the effects of flash abilities of certain agents.

The flash effect can currently be turned off via a setting in the game’s menu, as numerous players have pointed out over the past day. The competitive queue will remain disabled until the exploit is fixed.

The exploit, which attracted a lot of attention following a video post about it from Sentinels’ VALORANT player Jordan “Zellsis” Montemurro, allows players to completely negate the effects of any flash ability from an ally or enemy. This was done by going to general settings during a match, scrolling down to the Other category, and turning on “Hide User Interface In Game.”

This setting turned on would hide the entire interface, including the mini-map, the agent icons, your abilities and health, and chat. But it would also negate any flash effect, thoroughly breaking the game and allowing players holding angles to be completely unblinded by flashes. It’s unclear if the exploit also negated effects like nearsighted or concussed, and it’s unclear how long the exploit has been abused by players in the competitive queue.

Riot quickly responded to the attention drawn to this game-breaking bug, bringing down the competitive queue less than two hours after Zellsis posted.

Update 6:05pm CT: Riot Games has turned the Competitive queue back on, and said that the exploit has been fixed. The blind effect on flashes is no longer turned off when the user interface is hidden.

Categories
Entertainment

Jennette McCurdy spills details of Ariana Grande feud

Jennette McCurdy says her dislike for Ariana Grande began soon after they started filming their Nickelodeon show when she realized the pop star allegedly got permission to pursue outside opportunities.

“I booked two features during icarly that I had to turn down because the icarly team wouldn’t write me out of episodes to go shoot them,” McCurdy writes in her new memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Diedclaiming producers would stuff Grande’s character in a box so that she could miss filming, Page Six reports.

“Are you kidding me,” McCurdy recalls thinking. “So I have to turn down movies while Ariana’s off whistle-toning at the Billboard Music Awards? F**k. Este.”

the best player actress, 30, admitted that once Grande, 29, was allowed to ditch filming, she snapped.

“I’m pissed about it. I’m pissed at her. Jealous of her. For a few reasons,” she writes. “So now, every time she misses work it feels like a personal attack. … From that moment on I didn’t like her. I couldn’t like her.”

icarly ended its original run in 2012, and Sam & Cat ran just one season from 2013 to 2014.

A rep for Nickelodeon did not return Page Six’s request for comment.

Grande has not publicly responded to the excerpts from McCurdy’s memoir.

the rest of the Zoey 101 alum’s book is filled with heartbreaking anecdotes about her battle with bulimia and her strained relationship with her mother and Nickelodeon.

McCurdy writes that after departing the kids’ entertainment network, she turned down a $300,000 offer that would require her never to speak publicly about her experiences there.

Jennette defends shocking memoir title

McCurdy is also standing by her decision to name her memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died.

“I get that it’s attention-grabbing but it’s also something that I mean sincerely,” she said of the title during an interview on good morning america this week.

She explained that she wasn’t using the title in a “flippant” way and believes that people who have also been abused will understand the point she is trying to convey, Page Six reports.

“While the response might be divided, I really appreciate the positivity that I received from a lot of people,” she said.

“I think that anybody who has experienced parental abuse understands this title and I think anybody who has a sense of humor understands this title.”

McCurdy added that she’s “not so concerned” with the opinions of anybody else, noting that “this book is not for them”.

McCurdy also shared that at times, she still misses her mum, who died in 2013 from cancer. However, she admitted that she would not have written her memoir of her if her mother of her was still alive because she would still have her of her “identity of her dictated by her of her” of her.

“Grief for me toward my mum used to be really complicated. I’d feel angry and confused at why I felt angry that I was grieving her,” McCurdy said.

“I felt like she didn’t deserve my tears and my sadness since she was abusive, but it simplified in a really relieving way and now feels like I’m able to just miss her. I think that is only possible because of the healing that happened through the writing of the book.”

Throughout her tell-all book, McCurdy detailed the abusive behavior her mother allegedly exhibited while she was growing up and during her rise to fame while starring in icarly and the spin-off series, Sam & Cat.

“I start shrinking by the week as Mum and I team up to count our calories every night and plan our meals for the next day. We’re keeping me on a 1000-calorie diet, but I have the smart idea that if I only eat half my food, I’ll only be receiving half the calories, which means that I will be shrinking twice as fast,” McCurdy wrote in the book, ET reported.

“Each Sunday, she weighs me and measures my thighs with a measuring tape. After a few weeks of our routine, she provides me with a stack of diet books that I finish quickly … I weigh myself five times a day.”

McCurdy alleged that when a doctor expressed that she may have had anorexia, her mother denied knowing about any food habits. She also shared that her weight dropped so low that she was using a booster seat in the car at age 14.

The actress also claimed that her mother would bathe her every time she had to shower and conduct “a breast and ‘front butt’ exam,” adding that when she was 16 years old, her mother would even shave her daughter’s legs.

“She says she wants to make sure I don’t have any mysterious lumps or bumps because those could be cancer. I say OK because I definitely don’t want cancer, and since Mum’s had it and all, she would know if I do,” she wrote.

“I usually just try and think of Disneyland when Mum’s doing the exams … By the time the exams are done, a huge wave of relief washes over my whole body and I usually realize that’s the first time I’ve felt my body since the exam started.”

McCurdy wrote that when she started to become famous, her mother began resenting her.

“Fame has put a wedge between Mum and me that I didn’t think was possible. She wanted this. And I wanted her to have it. I wanted her to be happy,” she wrote.

“But now that I have it, I realize that she’s happy and I’m not. Her happiness came at the cost of mine. I feel robbed and exploited. Sometimes I look at her and I just hate her. And then I hate myself for feeling that.”

McCurdy also recalled the time her mother found out she had started dating – but was not yet sexually active. She wrote in her book of her that her mother of her was verbally abusive, calling her a “FILTHY LITTLE LYING WH ** E,” and “nothing more than a little SL * T, a FLOOZY, ALL USED UP”.

Among other abuses, McCurdy claims her mother also lied to her about who her biological father was. She says her eating disorder de ella continued even after her mother de ella died – but she has since sought professional help.

“My mum emotionally, mentally and physically abused me in ways that will forever impact me. She gave me breast and vaginal exams until 17 years old … When I was six years old, she pushed me into a career I didn’t want … She taught me an eating disorder when I was 11 years old – an eating disorder that robbed me of my joy and any amount of free-spiritedness that I had. She never told me my father was not my father,” McCurdy wrote.

“Her death left me with more questions than answers, more pain than healing, and many layers of grief – the initial grief from her passing, then the grief of accepting her abuse and exploitation of me, and finally, the grief that surfaces now when I miss her and start to cry – because I do still miss her and start to cry.”

As well as her toxic relationship with her mother, McCurdy also claims in the book she was offered $300,000 in hush money to not publicly speak about her tenure on Nickelodeon.

– with Leah Bitsky

This story originally appeared on Page Six and is republished here with permission

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Categories
Sports

Brandon Smith’s sledge at Cameron Munster, Melbourne Storm beat Penrith Panthers, video, highlights

Cameron Munster put on another masterclass at fullback on Thursday night in a 16-0 win over Penrith and earned plenty of praise, along with a cheeky dig, from teammate Brandon Smith.

speaking to Triple Mpost-game, Smith was at his hilarious best in what James Graham described as a “refreshing” interview from the Melbourne Storm forward.

Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

“He’s [Munster] as thick as pig s***,” Smith laughed.

“He’s the dumbest bloke in the world but when he gets on the field, he’s a genius. It’s outstanding. I’m glad I’m playing with him and not against him. He’s the most annoying bloke on planet earth but he’s one of my good mates so you’ve got to love him.”

As impressive as Munster was, Smith himself was key to the win, helping Melbourne dominate up front and allowing its playmakers to work their magic in the red zone.

Smith said that it was all part of the plan for the Storm, who had a relatively simple strategy for Thursday’s night game.

“Our whole game plan was to stay in the fight and let our superstars go and put the points on,” Smith said.

The Storm were able to put 16 on the board in the first half, although they could not breach the Panthers’ line in the second, restricted to just 37 per cent of the ball.

Storm sizzle poor Panthers | 02:01

The fact Melbourne was able to hold Penrith (55 tackles in opposition 20) scoreless would have certainly pleased coach Craig Bellamy though.

“I know he’ll be super happy with the zero on the Panthers’ board but still a lot of things we have to work on in attack,” Smith said.

“We had Nick Meaney and Cooper Johns partnering together I think for the first time with Munster at fullback.

“Munster and Justin Olam and Marion Seve, the two centers, deserve massive raps they were outstanding.”

Remembering Paul Green’s amazing career | 08:32

Smith was not just at his cheeky best post-game, also getting under Panthers front rower Spencer Leniu’s skin in the latter stages of the second half as the two sides briefly came together.

“I didn’t say anything,” Smith said of his exchange with Leniu.

“I just pushed him to let him know that… I think it was an accident but still, he hit me in the head and I wasn’t happy.”

“It still bought about 30 seconds off the clock,” he added, laughing, “that was pretty handy.”

“It was a tough game out there tonight. I don’t think I’ve come off the field with these many bumps and bruises.”

Brandon Smith scuffles with Spencer Leniu. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

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Categories
Australia

Lotto winners WA: Perth friends plan epic holiday after $2.1 million win from Rossmoyne Newsagency ticket

A group of Perth friends are set for the group holiday of a lifetime after winning millions of dollars in Lotto.

The two couples have been playing together for more than two decades but finally hit the jackpot on July 30, winning $2.1 million.

The ticket they bought from Rossmoyne Newsagency was one of 14 winning tickets from around Australia.

Your local paper, whenever you want it.

“We’ve been playing Lotto together basically since we met, and we love it,” one winner said.

“We love knowing that our money stays in WA and supports so many great projects.

“And now we’ve won! It’s all pretty surreal.”

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Categories
US

Mall of America shooting suspects nabbed after getting haircuts in Chicago

A man who allegedly fired a gun inside Minnesota’s Mall of America last week was arrested along with his accused accomplice 400 miles away in Chicago Thursday afternoon, a report said.

Shamar Alon Lark, 21, and Rashad Jamal May, 23, were busted by an FBI-led task force after getting haircuts in the Windy City, officials said at a press conference published by KARE 11.

“A week ago, we said you can’t shoot up the mall and expect to get away with it. You can’t commit these acts and enjoy the freedoms of a free society,” Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges said while announcing the arrests.

On Aug. 4, the suspects were among a group of people who had gotten into an argument with another group at the Nike store, prosecutors said.

After the altercation, the pair returned and Lark allegedly fired three shots inside the store, according to officials. Not one was hit by the gunfire, but the startling event at the nation’s largest shopping mall sparked a nationwide manhunt.

Shamar Alon Lark, 21, was charged with a second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon along with other felonies.
Shamar Alon Lark, 21, was charged with a second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon along with other felonies.

Lark was charged with a second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, intentional discharge of a firearm and carrying a pistol without a permit in a public place. May was charged with aiding an offender to avoid arrest.

Three other people were also arrested for allegedly helping Lark and May escape from the mall.

The suspects were being held behind bars in Chicago ahead of an extradition hearing.

Three Minnesota residents in their early twenties were also charged in connection with the incident.
Three other Minnesota residents were charged in connection with allegedly helping the fugitives escape.
People are seen leaving the mall after shots were fired.
Shoppers evacuated the mall after shots rang out on the afternoon of Aug. 4.
AP

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Categories
Business

SDA seeks $250m compensation from McDonald’s operators who allegedly denied paid breaks to Australian workers

McDonald’s has been slapped with a wage theft claim of at least $250 million in the Federal Court over alleged denial of paid breaks to workers.

The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association (SDA) is seeking compensation on behalf of more than 250,000 current and former McDonald’s workers across Australia.

If successful, the union said the claim would be one of the largest of its kind in Australia’s history.

The SDA is alleging workers at more than 1,000 current and former McDonald’s sites were denied their uninterrupted 10-minute break when working four hours or more during a shift.

South Australia branch secretary Josh Peak said McDonald’s workers were told if they want their paid break, they cannot get a drink or go to the toilet.

He said in almost two years of investigation the union had heard more than 10,000 accounts from former and current employees, including young Australians, at McDonald’s stores across Australia.

“Workers were systematically, deliberately denied the rights to those breaks,” Mr Peak told ABC Radio Adelaide Breakfast.

“It’s just not good enough that a large employer such as McDonalds would create a scheme that leads to people not being paid correctly or getting base entitlements.”

The statement of claim alleged workers had to seek permission to get a drink or go to the bathroom and could be directed to resume work before their 10-minute break was up.

Mr Peak said workers were misled or not informed about their rest break entitlements and the multi-billion dollar corporation should be penalized for it.

“It is really outrageous behavior to be tricking young people into thinking they are not entitled to go the toilet if they used their paid entitlements,” he said.

“Workers never got their paid 10-minute rest break and when workers did ask for it, they were told ‘we don’t do that here because you can go the toilet whenever you like’, which is completely ludicrous.”

Josh Peak SDA
Josh Peak said McDonald’s workers should be entitled to paid breaks.(ABCNews)

The claim named 323 McDonald’s operators who allegedly denied paid rest breaks to workers over the past six years.

McDonald’s Australia issued a statement in which it denied the claims.

“McDonald’s believes its restaurants complied with applicable instruments, provided rest breaks to employees and were consistent with historic working arrangements,” a McDonald’s spokeswoman said.

“Those arrangements have been known to the SDA for many years. The manner of taking breaks has not been challenged or raised by the SDA as a matter of concern throughout successive enterprise bargaining processes for new industrial agreements.

“We are very mindful of our obligations under applicable employment laws, including the former enterprise agreement and the Fast Food Industry Award, and continue to work closely with our restaurants to ensure employees receive all correct workplace entitlements and pay.”

Claim originates from SA

The new claim is in conjunction with the SDA’s 15 existing Federal Court claims against McDonald’s Australia and 14 franchisees — seven of them in South Australia.

In December 2020, 14 McDonald’s employees at the Frewville and Mount Barker restaurants lodged a compensation claim after allegedly being denied their 10-minute rest break.

As a result of that action, the investigation extended nationwide.

A blond woman smiling in a dress with pink balloons in the background
Isabella worked at McDonald’s in Adelaide CBD.(Supplied)

Isabelle, who worked at McDonald’s in the Adelaide CBD for almost five years, said she was not given her entitled 10-minute break, but instead was allowed drink breaks freely during shifts.

“The drink break was only for 20 seconds, or as fast as you could drink and then come back to work straightaway,” she said.

“I’d spoken to my bosses about it and they just told us that we didn’t get them, they chose to do something different, and that it was legal, it was all fine.

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